Kevin reviewed the L'Artisan Aedes de Venustas Parfum d'Ambiance room spray back in 2006, and noted that he used the spray on his skin as much as in the air. Not being a big fan of room sprays, I used it only as a personal fragrance, and despite the fact that like most room sprays, it doesn't really "bloom" on skin, it quickly became a fall/winter favorite. The new Eau de Parfum is meant to "retain the woody, Oriental allure" of the original while adding "new facets of spice for sparkle, chypre effect for sophistication, balsam for comfort and leather to compliment and enhance the original fragrance", and in fact, it does just that: it's much, much more enjoyable to wear on skin, but it's close enough to the room spray that you can pretty much just read Kevin's review to find out what it smells like. For anyone too lazy to click through, here is a quote:

Of these ingredients, incense and leather stand out. The incense of Aedes' room fragrance is not burning or smoldering incense, but fresh, unburned incense that has a light, slightly powdery, near-vanilla aroma with hints of cedar and sandalwood. A mellow leather note is present throughout the fragrance’s development and is especially noticeable in the dry down if you spray this scent onto skin.

I'll add just a few notes of my own:

Kevin is correct that the incense stands out, and right from the first spray. It mingles with citrus-y notes at first, later, briefly, with a very soft rose; the whole thing is laid over dark woody-leathery base notes.

The Eau de Parfum is much deeper, and possibly a bit darker, than the room spray. It's also much darker than Duchaufour's incense for Amouage, Jubilation XXV; still, it doesn't have anything like the gloomy, high-church sort of atmosphere of his Avignon for Comme des Garçons.

The leather is absolutely buttery-smooth, and the finish strikes me as more velvety than that of the room spray.

It's beautifully spicy — the top notes are quite peppery — and a bit more so than the room spray. It is very much a cool weather scent to my nose, and I found it a bit too heavy when I first tried it in July. Today, it's still warm enough to wear shorts but the air is considerably cooler, and it's just perfect.

The everlasting flower was more noticeable to me in the room spray; here, it's subtle at most. I was interested to see coffee in the fragrance notes (see below) but for the life of me I can't smell it. It certainly isn't as obvious as it is in Duchaufour's Kyoto (another Comme des Garçons fragrance).

This sounds truly exciting! I have never tried the room spray, but I am a big fan of Duchaufour's incense creations. You said a bit about what fragrances it is not like–is it similar to anything else you've tried?

Oh, this sounds glorious! Am slapping myself in the forehead that somehow I missed this at Aedes (the room spray). I should definitely try it. Actually, i might prefer the room spray; I love immortelle.

This has become my holiest of grails – it s even more wonderful in reality than Robin's very astute description! It was truly love at first sniff for me – I first tried it on a very hot day and could not get it off my mind. It has an effervescent, almost gingery quality that had a purifying & cooling effect in the heat. And it took me all of 30 seconds to make the decision to buy it last Friday when I was in Aedes at lunch time!

Closest I can think of offhand is Donna Karan Black Cashmere, but it's not all that much like it. And it's related, at least, to almost any dark-ish incense, including Avignon. There's probably something else I'm not thinking of right away…

Ok, now we're talking — I am going to have to dig my unsniffed sample of the room spray out of my drawer as soon as I get home. Definitely looking forward to this one, and if it's darker than Jubilation XXV without being churchy (and less expensive than Amouage to boot!), this could be a great autumn. Thanks, R.!

I was lucky enough to try this, thanks to the sample a generous person sent me (thanks!), and I have to say it was love at first sniff. It's dark, without the brooding quality of Avignon, and bright, without the fleeting quality of Passage d'Enfer. In fact, it's just what I wanted Serge Noire to be, but expected to be disappointed. (Actually, I liked Serge Noire, and would love it if that pesky cumin note wasn't there.) Why, oh why, don't Aedes ship abroad?

I've had my eye on that travel size for a couple weeks now and have been sitting on my hands trying to avoid pulling out the credit card. And look, a link to Beauty Encounter just inches away from this comment box! Sigh.

Serge Noire is nothing like I expected. I think I like it too, but not sure, and am still disconcerted by reading on Perfume Posse that it's very like Bond's Lexington Avenue, thinking March was nuts, then discovering she's spot on.

I have to tell you that I absolutely LOVE this store! Aedes De Venustas is a paradise for perfume lovers. Greatest location in NYC actually. Just off Christopher Street in the West Village and facing the famous intersection of Christopher Street and GAY Street! So many pictures of that street name have been taken and framed around the world!

The staff at Aedes are the nicest people and the owner Karl, one of the most knowledgeable about perfume and a truly nice person who will stop at nothing to help a customer find their “true identity scent”. Karl has that nice and respectful demeanor of someone who really CARES about what you are looking for and not simply trying to make a sale.

I am truly delighted that Aedes De Venustas have elevated their already classy image to the next level, by having their own exclusive fragrance created by one of the master noses: Bertrand Duchaufour! And as part of L'Artisan Parfumeur prestigious line! Wow

Each and every reader of this blog who is contemplating a visit to New York City should make the time to visit Aedes De Venustas! I cannot wait to go try this new scent. It sounds exquisite! I have tried the candle and loved it in the past. It just sounds like everything I love when it comes to fragrance notes. And the bottle looks absolutely beautiful. The best looking bottle of the entire L'Artisan parfumeur line must I say!

(Kevin my invitation to go with you to Aedes when you come here still holds! I can't wait…Robin, it would be my honor if you can make it as well

I received a reply from Aedes to my email regarding sample availablity…

“Samples will be available for shipping 10/1, with the official release date.

What you've seen online were reviews by perfume critics only, no samples were given otherwise. Depending on where you are, in the store it can be smelled and we will soon announce the online pre-sale date.”

We peons, who aren't perfume critics or live near the store, will just have to wait. Darn it!

I have to say I was impressed with the speed of their response to my email. Thanks Aedes!

Wow Kevin, you make it sound wonderful! I hope to someday make it to NYC. If I do, Aedes will be a must visit. Agree that the bottle looks beautiful…at least from the picture. I love the AG Mandragore purple bottle, and the color of this bottle looks gorgeous as well.

A friend of mine would say, “Try to imagine how you'd feel if you went back tomorrow and discovered it was gone / wasn't for sale anymore. Would you regret not buying it?”

Unfortunately, that's a BAD way to make spending decisions (she's a “terrible” shopping companion), but it's what keeps running through my mind. I keep wondering how “limited” the “limited supply” is… Nice to know you're in the same boat (I think).

LOL — yeah, I'd be best off NOT shopping with your friend. I'm guessing I'll be mad if/when they disappear and I haven't bought any, but for now, can't bring myself to buy. Partly I think it's because I want both of them….so still spending $100 and taking on 60 ml of juice I'll never use up…

Ack, I do wish they'd make that one into a scent too! This is much “thicker”, spicier (much), darker, less smoky. I adore the Galliano but it's a sort of “snapshot” scent to me (like a soundbite, you know? Luca Turin had a good word for these “little smell” kind of perfumes but forget what it is), very much in OG's style, this is more of a full-fledged perfume.

You will laugh at me and not be surprised: I immediately had to seek out that 1oz bottle at another site and buy it, because it really is too great of a value to pass up. Sorry I couldn't do that through one of your sponsors! I'm done (I said I'm done!) for September!